Games under my tree

I’ll be honest: I didn't get much in the way of games this year. My family gave me a bunch of stuff based on my other interests, like a complete box set of George Carlin’s HBO shows and no less than six new Shakespeare DVDs. But I did get a chance to browse the Steam sales. (See an earlier column for details.)

I did get one gaming gift besides the games: My brother has moved on from the Xbox 360 and was persuaded to give it to me. To get me started, my mother bought me a console-exclusive game I've wanted to play for years: Hideki Kamiya’s Bayonetta.

In fact, that seems to be the theme of this season’s games. I’ve been snatching up games which have been out for a while, but which I’ve never gotten around to buying before. Here are the games I’m going to be playing until the first quarter of 2014 kicks into gear:

Spec Ops: The Line

I’m not a fan of first-person military shooters by any stretch. I can’t stomach more than a few minutes of manly, shooter-y bravado. But The Line was recommended by critics I respect, so I’m game to give it a go. Let’s see if I’m as blown away by it as I hope to be.

Left 4 Dead 2

It’s from Valve, so I know it has to be good on some level, but I’m a little uncertain because I am sick. To death. Of zombies! But I’ve been told that this isn’t just a zombie/survival horror game, it’s the zombie/survival horror game.

Psychonauts

There’s really no excuse for me waiting this long to get this game. I’ve read more good reviews for Psychonauts than I have for The Godfather.

Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

Skyrim was both my first Elder Scrolls game and the fifth to be released, so call me a gamer-come-lately. Oblivion is purported to be much the same as Skyrim in basics, and the story is a big sprawling epic, which I love! Also, I can’t wait to meet Patrick Stewart as a King.